Florida United Methodist Review Online

Bishop calls new elders to be apostolic, faithful

     Calling the ministry an "impossible possibility," Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker called on the 2002 class of ordinands to remember that "ministry is an office…its purpose is to continue the work of the apostles."
     Whitaker said ministry can be understood as an occupation, which provides an income, or an office, "a position of authority, duty or trust given to someone." Being faithful to Jesus Christ can help pastors from breaking the trust given to them as part of their office.
Full Story

Clergy asked to help pay for health insurance

      Delegates to the 2002 Florida Annual Conference Event approved two changes to the clergy health insurance program that will help the conference save money in the short term and improve the viability of providing long-term health insurance coverage for active and retired clergy.
      According to the resolution approved by delegates, clergy will be responsible for paying part of the optional coverage for their dependents. Retired clergy will be asked to increase their participation in the cost of health coverage, depending on their year of retirement and number of years of service in the Florida Conference. Full Story

Black bishops call for, receive repentance from conference

   The service of Repentance and Reconciliation for Racism held at this year's Florida Annual Conference Event reflected the contrasts of Psalm 30:5, "…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." That text was central to the sermon by Bishop Jonathon D. Keaton of the East Ohio Area of the United Methodist Church, the service's featured preacher.
     The joyful singing of the choir from Lakeland's Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church contrasted with the retelling of the painful history of brokenness and separation between the United Methodist Church and African-American people. Full Story

Convocation focuses on renewal

Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker challenged delegates to the 2002 Florida Annual Conference Event to think about the larger issue of congregational transformation. "Do congregations need to be transformed?" Whitaker said. "How do we accomplish the mission of Jesus Christ?"
     To help delegates begin dealing with that issue, the Rev. Dr. Howard Snyder, professor of the history and theology of mission at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky., led a Convocation on Congregational Transformation. The two-and-a-half hour program the second day of the event also included a panel discussion led by four of the conference's church revitalization leaders. Full Story

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Delegates approve new church transformation office

The Florida Conference has plans to start 18 new churches and ministries in the next two years, but needs to plant more than 30 new churches each year in order to keep up with the state's population growth. At the same time, as many as 300 established congregations are stagnant or declining in membership and worship attendance.
     Those were two of the arguments in favor of creating a new Office of Congregational Transformation, which delegates approved nearly unanimously. Full Story

Leaders hope Conference Table will be chaotic, creative

     Delegates to the 2002 Florida Annual Conference Event here approved the creation of the Conference Table as a place where everyone in the conference will be welcome to gather and discuss matters of strategic importance to the conference. The vote was nearly unanimous.
     Most of the discussion prior to the vote centered on who would be in attendance at Conference Table gatherings. One proposed amendment called for the United Methodist Men and Women to be expected participants. Full Story

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Photo Gallery

Expo Draws All Ages

Choir from Lakeland's Bethel AME Church

Flowing Waters

Gathering The Harvest

Remember Your Baptism

In Brief

Delegates tackle resolutions, budget

Conference presents lay, clergy awards

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